New Build, undecided chipset...

[sKiT]

So I'm looking into a new build as my current Barton core +2500 @ +3200 just is not holding up to todays challenges. I am dead set on SLI yet, being a gamer there is no denying that the Intel chips are the way to go for the next year or 2, performance wise IMHO. I dont see me spending the $340+ on a board with the 790i northbridge while I do want to taste some of that performance. On that note, how are the 680i, 750i & 780i chipsets performing in a "bang for the buck" contest? I have read many reviews from newegg, tiger direct and tom's hardware, some good, some bad and thought I would consult ya'll. Heat is gonna be a real determining factor living in a house without AC. Are there any known disadvantages of the 750i chipset that I should be aware of? I have no problem with installing active cooling if a board comes without it but would prefer to not have to touch it at all. I hope to maintain a budget of around $400 for the CPU/Mainboard, cheaper if possible

Current build: Barton +2500@ +3200 with 1GB Dual channel DDR Giel PC3500 on an Asus board. GF7800 GS vid card. SB Audigy 2 sound and a 74GB SATA WD Raptor

Regards.

[JPMiller]

Why exactly are you "dead set" on SLI?
SLI is a poor choice unless...
A. your building a SUPER highend machine that will right from the outset be using some of the highest end video cards in SLI.
B. or you have a very good setup and are simply adding another good card as a later upgrade that is now MUCH cheaper, to get a boost.
Even then its a poorer choice than just getting single better card.
Especially if heat is a concern
You need more power and better cooling

[sKiT]

Well, the performance increase of the 790i chipset doesn't seem to warrant the price increase. That being said, I do infact want a couple high end graphics cards in this setup, NV8800 gpu's or better as I have never been a fan of ATI or thier drivers. Please correct me if im wrong, but I havent found anything indicating use of multiple Nvidias GPUs with the P45 intel chipset. I understand Intel is giving birth to a new flagship chipset ( I forget the name...X48?) of which I'm sure will cost at least an arm, maybe a leg too. I havent done enough digging to know if they will have SLI support so I'm leaving that deal off the table due to price alone.
My current system uses 5 80mm system fans, one HDD cooler Fan, PSU has 2 fans and of course one on the CPU heatsink(sounds like a 747 powering up when I power ON) . This gives me about 51-53C at idle and 58-61C under load( I am OC'd).